Slow improvement in drought conditions across Central Texas

With the month of February behind us, it should come as no surprise that both precipitation and surface temperatures took on large ranges. The KVUE Storm Team tracked the largest amount of precipitation on Feb. 22 that added 0.60 inches of rainfall in one day followed by an additional 0.30 inches the next day.

Eight days of precipitation accumulations were recorded at zero, five days had trace amounts, and 11 days had 0.10 inches or less. In addition to the precipitation, there was also a combined element of cloudy skies throughout the region. Austin-Bergstrom International Airport reported 21 cloudy days compared to Camp Mabry’s 15 cloudy days.

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At Camp Mabry, monthly rainfall totaled 1.71 inches, which was 0.31 inches below normal. This made February 2018 at this site the 52nd driest February on record.

At ABIA, monthly rainfall totaled 1.07 inches, which was 1.24 inches below normal. That ranks as the 22nd driest February on record.

Overall, there was some improvement to the drought conditions across Central Texas but not very much.

In observance of the Climate Prediction Center’s 8-14 day outlook, a roughly 33-40 percent probability of precipitation falling below average is shown.

With this projection, we can deduce that it is unlikely that any major improvements to the drought monitor will be experienced through at least mid-March.